I would first like to suggest you taking a minute or two to make up a sparkpage - remember to make it public in order that other members can come to it and encourage you there. Have a look at some of the others members to get an idea of what you might want to share on it.

As for eating - hopefully everyone here will give you encouragment and not preach -

I would first suggest that you just track what you eat for 7 days - journal all your food - good place to do this is here on the food tracker as it will give you each day the totals for calories / fat / ect. Then after 7 days look at what you normally eat and work on changing just one thing. Take it in baby steps. What I have found that works for me is I started (1) with exercise then (2) water then (3) fresh veggs and fruit. I still am working on eliminiting the high carb foods such as bread / pasta / rice / potatoes - I allow myself some each week but limit it to small portions as I know those are a trigger food for me. Also I have been eliminitating all pop and anything with sugar such as chocolate / cookies / pies / cakes as they just don't have any nutritional value in them.

But take it one day at a time and you will find you will be successful.

A note: I did really well following the above advice then for whatever reason decided to take back the pop and high starch foods and low and behold I have put on weight - I also gave up my walking as exercise at that time - so I am back at the starting gate again working on taking back the healthy habits.

Good luck - and do come and share with us as often as possible as the accountability and sharing is a big part of our success

Hello, I am 49 years old and am on track to join my father, brother and several other family members that have had issues with cholesterol and heart disease. My father died at the age of 39 from a heart attack and my brother had heart surgery at the age of 21. I am afraid and don't know how to stem the progress. I know that exercise and changing my diet will help but am unsure what kinds of foods I should change to. I am looking for guidance not preaching and will do almost anything to keep my health and change my course. I have started a low impact exercise regimin that will build my strength and am looking for low cost recipies that will also help. If there are any vitamin supplements out there that will help please let me know. vickieshaw@att.net

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